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08-14-10, 05:03 PM
Not sure if this has been mentioned but I couldn't find a reference in a thread search.
Melbourne recently started a very expensive bike hire scheme but it's proving to be a flop because of Australia's compulsory helmet laws. How many tourists or indeed locals carried a helmet around in case they feel the need to ride a bike for an hour?
I should clarify - the hire is not expensive, the tax-payer supported set-up costs were: $5.5 million!
Melbourne Bike Share (http://www.melbournebikeshare.com.au/)
A handful of refuseniks mounted a protest and were promptly fined $160 each by the ever-vigilant Victoria Police. Way to go, brave men in blue!
It's not only because of the helmets that this ill-thought-out scheme is flawed. Firstly, Melbourne is quite hilly and unless you're fit 3-speed internal hub gears won't cut it. Secondly we have a cheap and comprehensive tram system that will get you where you want to go faster - and with your shopping!
Helmet Protest (http://www.copenhagenize.com/2010/08/bike-helmet-protest-in-melbourne.html)
A couple of weeks I walked past one of the hire stations. All the bikes were in their racks and no one was in the least interested.
Melbourne recently started a very expensive bike hire scheme but it's proving to be a flop because of Australia's compulsory helmet laws. How many tourists or indeed locals carried a helmet around in case they feel the need to ride a bike for an hour?
I should clarify - the hire is not expensive, the tax-payer supported set-up costs were: $5.5 million!
Melbourne Bike Share (http://www.melbournebikeshare.com.au/)
A handful of refuseniks mounted a protest and were promptly fined $160 each by the ever-vigilant Victoria Police. Way to go, brave men in blue!
It's not only because of the helmets that this ill-thought-out scheme is flawed. Firstly, Melbourne is quite hilly and unless you're fit 3-speed internal hub gears won't cut it. Secondly we have a cheap and comprehensive tram system that will get you where you want to go faster - and with your shopping!
Helmet Protest (http://www.copenhagenize.com/2010/08/bike-helmet-protest-in-melbourne.html)
A couple of weeks I walked past one of the hire stations. All the bikes were in their racks and no one was in the least interested.